Mine tool adapter

ABSTRACT

An adapter for mounting a mine tool cutting bit and its holding block on a powered head or chain driven by a mining machine, including a block adapter having a base portion adapted to be affixed to the holding block and a projection extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. A receptacle portion adapted to be affixed to the powered head or chain of the mining machine has a recess adapted to closely receive the projection extending from the base portion of the block adapter and a shoulder portion upon which the base portion surrounding the projection rests.

United States Patent [72] inventor CharlesS. Davis Benton, Ill. [21]Appl. No. 846,785 [22] Filed Aug. 1, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 19, 1971[73] Assignee The Carmet Company Pittsburgh, Pa.

[54] MINE TOOL ADAPTER 1 1 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 299/83, 299/89, 299/92 [5]] Int. Cl ..E2lc 25/46, E2lc 35/18[50] Field of Search 299/91-93, 83; 37/142, 142 A [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,204,718 6/1940 Younie 37/l42 2,262,592 11/1941Stephens 299/91 2,702,490 2/1955 Launder 37/142 3 499,685 3/1970 Kniff299/92 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,096,l46 l2/l967 Great Britain 299/92 PrimaryExaminerEmest R. Purser Attorneys-Vincent G. Gioia and Robert F. DropkinABSTRACT: An adapter for mounting a mine tool cutting bit and itsholding block on a powered head or chain driven by a mining machine,including a block adapter having a base portion adapted to be afiixed tothe holding block and a projec tion extending substantiallyperpendicularly therefrom. A receptacle portion adapted to be afiixed tothe powered head or chain of the mining machine has a recess adapted toclosely receive the projection extending from the base portion of theblock adapter and a shoulder portion upon which the base portionsurrounding the projection rests.

PATENTEUUBI 19 IBM sum 10F 3 INVENTOR. CHARLES S. DAV/.5

- Attorney PATENTEDUET I9 I97! SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR.

CHARLES S. DAVIS "zzm/ "f Altar/10y PATENTEDUETIQIHYI 3.614164 w SHEET30F 3 INVENTOR.

CHARLES s. DAV/5 MINE TOOL ADAPTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In themining of minerals, a variety of mining machines are employed to powerbeads or chains carrying cutting bits and holders therefor. It is wellknown to those skilled in the art that mining operations require thefrequent replacement of cutting bits and often, the holding blocks aswell. These bits and blocks are subjected to excessive wear, abrasionand vibration in the course of cutting the minerals to be extracted fromthe mine. While there are now available a variety of quick-change bitsfacilitating the necessary and frequent replacement thereof, theconventional means of attaching the bit holder to the powered head orchain is by welding vthe holder thereto. Thus, if a bit is permitted tooverwear to the point that the holder is also damaged, or due to theexcessive vibration and abrasion in the cutting operation, a holder isdamaged or split, a considerable effort must be expended to remove thewelded block from the powered head or chain for replacement. Thereplacement of the holding blocks is further complicated by the mineenvironment of the machinery. The likelihood of the presence ofexplosive gases and dust within the mine cavities prohibits theutilization of open-flame torches and welding equipment to accomplishthe removal of existing blocks and the replacement thereof. Thus, toeffect the replacement of a block, the machinery must be removed fromthe hazardous area which further increases the downtime of the equipmentand the expenditure of man hours to effect the necessary repairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus for attaching a block holding acutting bit for mining operations to the powered head or chainpermitting quick, on site, replacement of the blocks and bits. Theadapter includes a base portion to which the cutting block or blocks isaffixed and from which a projection extends. The block adaptercontaining the base and projection are adapted to be received in areceptacle portion having a recess therein adapted to closely receivethe projection of the block adapter. The end surface of the receptacleportion is machined to closely engage the base portion around theprojection. In the preferred embodiments, the projection and recess arerectangular to restrain any tendency of the block adapter to rotaterelative to the receptacle portion, however, other cross sections, suchas an oval, may be employed. Further, in the preferred embodiment, aresilient knock-out pin is inserted in a bore drilled through thereceptacle portion and the aligned engaged projection, to hold the blockadapter within the receptacle portion when the adapter assembly takes anunusual attitude.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an exploded view of theholding-block adapter and recess portion of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the location of the adapters on a powered wheel ordrum of a mining machine.

FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention adapted for usewith powered chain mining machinery.

FIG. 5 illustrates the assembly of FIG. 1 with the block adapter andreceptacle combination being inverted.

FIG. 6 illustrates the location of the inverted adapters on a poweredwheel or drum of a mining machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings andFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in particular, reference numeral 2 indicates a blockfor holding a cutting bit 4. The block 2 is afiixed to a block adapter 6having base portion 8. Block 2 may be affixed to base 8 by welding, orother methods well known in the art which provide a joint of adequatestrength. Affixed to base portion 8 is projection 10 which may beattached by welding or other suitable fastening means, such as bolting.Projection 10 may also be integral with base 8 having been machined outof a larger mass. In the preferred embodiment, projection 10 issubstantially centered on base portion 8 such that a surface 12 on thelower side of the base portion surrounds projection 10. Surface 12 ismachined flat in the preferred embodiment, though other interlockingmating surfaces might be employed.

A receptacle portion 13 having a recess 14 of a cross section similar toprojection 10 is adapted to be, mounted on a powered drum 16 such asshown in FIG. 2. The preferred means illustrated for affixing receptacle13 to drum 16 is by welding, however, it will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, that drum 16 might be manufactured withreceptacles 13 as an integral part thereof. Receptacle 13 exhibits abearing surface 18 on the mating end thereof which is machined flat toengage surface 12 of base portion 8. In the preferred embodiment, bothprojection 10 and receptacle 13 contain bores 20, extending laterallytherethrough which receive retaining pins 22. Preferably, retaining pin22 may be a resilient material, for example plastic (e.g. urethane), ora coiled spring of steel or other metal of a diameter slightly largerthan bore 20 to provide a slight force fit. Such an arrangement permitsrapid removal of pin 22 at time of replacement. It will be noted that abolt and nut might also be used, however such would destroy some of thequick-change" feature.

In operation, with receptacle 13 on position on drum l6, cutting bit 4and holding block 2 may be mounted in the wheel through block adapter 6.Projection 10 in inserted in receptacle 13 being received in opening 14.In the single bit/block embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the outside ofreceptacle portion measures 6 inches by 2 inches, and recess 14 measuresl.005+0.005 inches by 5.005+0.005 inches. Base 8 of cooperating blockadapter 6 measures 6 inches by 2 inches with projection 10 measuring0.995 +0.005 inches by 4.990+0.005 inches. It may thus be seen that inthis embodiment, the sideplay between projection 10 and receptacle 14 is0.010 inches and between ends is 0.015 inches, demonstrating theclose-fit between projection 10 and receptacle 13.

In the 2 block embodiment disclosed in FIGS. I and 3 the overalldimensions are decreased to 2 inches 3% inches and those of theprojection and receptacle to approximately 1 inch by 2.5 inches, but thetolerances remain the same. When block adapter 6 is received inreceptacle 13, pin 22 is inserted through bores 20 in receptacle l3 andprojection 10 keeping block adapter 6 in receptacle 13 when thestructure assumes an unusual attitude, such as inverted. It is to benoted that when pin 22 is of a resilient material such as hard rubber orplastic, it is incapable of absorbing and transmitting the cuttingforces generated in bit 4. The cutting forces F generated at bit 4 aretransferred through the block adapter 6 and receptacle 13 by matingsurfaces 12 and 17 and the lateral surfaces of projection 10 and recess14. It will be noted that in the embodiments illustrated, projection 10has beveled corners and that the comparable corners of recess 14 arerounded. These features facilitate the insertion of block adapter intorecess 14 but are not necessary. Likewise, the cross section of theprojection 10 is and recess 14 is generally rectangular as illustratedin the figures. This, too, is considered illustrative in that any crosssection which will prohibit turning of the adapter 6 within the recess14 will suffice. Thus a cross section such as elipses, ovals, trianglesand squares and considered equivalents.

FIG. 4 illustrates application of the invention in a chain link foroperating in a mining machine. Reference to the figure shows similarblock adapter structure 6 including a base portion 8' and a projection10' similar to that described in FIGS. 1 and 2, is received in a recessreceptacle portion 13 having a cooperating recess 14, also similar tothat shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. In this embodiment receptacle 13' ismounted on a chain link 24 by any suitable means such as welding. It isto be noted here, as well as the embodiments described above, that thechain 24 may be manufactured with the receptacle 13' as an integralportion of the link rather than joined by separate operation.

The material utilized for construction of the adapter 6 and receptacle12 in the disclosed embodiments was AlSl-type 4140 alloy. This, too, isconsidered illustrative in that there are many other acceptable toolsteels which may be employed so long as they meet the strengthrequirements of the application. lt will also be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that the relative position of the receptacle portionand the base with projection may be reversed such that the receptacle 13is affixed to the block 2 and the base 8 affixed to drum 16 or chainlink 24, as shown in FIGS. and 6.

lclaim:

l. A mining machine comprised of: a cutter bit; a cutter bit holdingblock; a block adapter having a base affixed to said holding block and aprojection extending substantially perpendicular from the centralportion of said base; a receptacle having a recess adapted to receivesaid projection, said projection and said recess for receiving saidprojection having cross sections which prohibit relative rotationalmovement between them; means retaining said projection within saidrecess; and a driven mechanism united with said receptacle, force forcutting being transmitted from said driven mechanism to said holdingblock through said receptacle and said block adapter.

2. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle iswelded to said driven mechanism.

3. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein said block adapter iswelded to said holding block.

4. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle andsaid driven mechanism are a unitary structure.

5. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein said projection andsaid recess have substantially rectangular cross sections.

6. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means iscomprised of a resilient pin extending through a bore in said receptacleand said projection.

7. A mining machine according to claim 6 wherein said resilient pin isof a material from the group consisting of hard rubber and plastic.

8. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein said driven mechanismis a drum.

9. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein said driven mechanismis a chain. I

10. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein said block adapter hasa plurality of holding blocks afiixed thereto.

11. A mining machine comprised of: a driven mechanism; a block adapterhaving a base affixed to said driven mechanism and a projectionextending substantially perpendicular from the central portion of saidbase: a receptacle having a recess adapted to receive said projection.Said projection and said recess for receiving said projection havingcross sections which prohibit relative rotational movement between them;means retaining said projection within said recess; a cutter bit holdingblock welded to said receptacle; and a cutter bit. Force for cuttingbeing transmitted from said driven mechanism to said holding blockthrough said block adapter and said receptacle.

1. A mining machine comprised of: a cutter bit; a cutter bit holdingblock; a block adapter having a base affixed to said holding block and aprojection extending substantially perpendicular from the centralportion of said base; a receptacle having a recess adapted to receivesaid projection, said projection and said recess for receiving saidprojection having cross sections which prohibit relative rotationalmovement between them; means retaining said projection within saidrecess; and a driven mechanism united with said receptacle, force forcutting being transmitted from said driven mechanism to said holdingblock through said receptacle and said block adapter.
 2. A miningmachine according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle is welded to saiddriven mechanism.
 3. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein saidblock adapter is welded to said holding block.
 4. A mining machineaccording to claim 1 wherein said receptacle and said driven mechanismare a unitary structure.
 5. A mining machine according to claim 1wherein said projection and said recess have substantially rectangularcross sections.
 6. A mining machine according to claim 1 wherein saidretaining means is comprised of a resilient pin extending through a borein said receptacle and said projection.
 7. A mining machine according toclaim 6 wherein said resilient pin is of a material from the groupconsisting of hard rubber and plastic.
 8. A mining machine according toclaim 1 wherein said driven mechanism is a drum.
 9. A mining machineaccording to claim 1 wherein said driven mechanism is a chain.
 10. Amining machine according to claim 1 wherein said block adapter has aplurality of holding blocks affixed thereto.
 11. A mining machinecomprised of: a driven mechanism; a block adapter having a base affixedto said driven mechanism and a projection extending substantiallyperpendiculAr from the central portion of said base: a receptacle havinga recess adapted to receive said projection. Said projection and saidrecess for receiving said projection having cross sections whichprohibit relative rotational movement between them; means retaining saidprojection within said recess; a cutter bit holding block welded to saidreceptacle; and a cutter bit. Force for cutting being transmitted fromsaid driven mechanism to said holding block through said block adapterand said receptacle.